In a sweeping reform set to transform the country’s largest entrance examinations, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced a fundamental change for candidates appearing for national-level tests such as NEET-UG, JEE Main, and CUET-UG. From the academic session 2026–27, candidates will no longer be allowed to select their preferred exam cities. Instead, the examination centre will be automatically allotted based on the permanent address listed on the candidate’s Aadhaar card.

This marks one of the biggest structural changes in the exam administration system since NTA was established in 2017. With lakhs of students taking these examinations every year, the new rule is expected to have wide-ranging implications, particularly for students living away from home or studying in hostels and coaching hubs across the country, like those in Karnataka.

Aadhaar-Based Allotment to Replace Traditional Choice System

Until now, candidates registering for NEET, JEE Main, or CUET were allowed to select three to four preferred exam cities based on convenience and availability. This flexibility enabled students—especially those residing temporarily in cities such as Kota, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, or Patna for coaching—to take the exam near their place of study.

Starting 2026, this flexibility will be withdrawn. The NTA will determine the exam city strictly based on the Aadhaar-registered address. For instance, a student whose Aadhaar address is in Kannur but who is pursuing coaching in Bengaluru will be assigned an exam centre in Kerala, not Karnataka.

According to officials, this change is being introduced to eliminate malpractices linked to centre selection, ensure equitable access, and strengthen the integrity of entrance examinations, which have witnessed rising scrutiny in recent years.

Why This Policy Shift Was Considered Necessary

Sources within the NTA indicate that the agency has been reviewing complaints regarding “unfair centre allocation,” misuse of address changes, impersonation attempts, and artificial crowding in certain exam cities. Several experts have flagged the possibility of coaching centres influencing the exam ecosystem in cities dominated by coaching hubs.

By linking the exam location directly to the Aadhaar address, NTA aims to create a uniform, tamper-proof, and transparent method of centre allocation.

Senior officials say the move will help:

• Prevent false address declarations.

• Reduce city-wise manipulation.

• Ensure candidates are mapped to their authentic residential region.

• Simplify administrative planning and resource distribution.

• Minimise logistical malpractice.

The use of Aadhaar, being a nationwide, government-verified identity database, provides the most reliable way to determine a student’s permanent location.

Impact on Students Across Coaching Hubs

The new policy is expected to significantly affect students living away from home for coaching. Every year, cities like Kota, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, and Delhi attract thousands of aspirants preparing for NEET and JEE. Under the new rule, these students will now need to travel back to their home states to write the exam—unless their Aadhaar address is updated to reflect their current residence.

Coaching centres are already anticipating logistical challenges. Several institutes believe many students may prefer updating their Aadhaar to avoid travel stress, while others may choose to return home closer to exam dates. The change may also impact parental decisions on whether to send students to far-off coaching cities.

Students Urged to Update Aadhaar Details Without Delay

NTA has strongly emphasised that candidates must ensure that the information on their Aadhaar card—particularly address, name spelling, date of birth, and gender—is accurate and up-to-date well before the application window begins. Discrepancies between Aadhaar and Class 10 certificates may lead to complications during registration.

Since the Aadhaar address will be the only determining factor for centre allocation, students have been advised to update their details within the next year. Changes cannot be made after the application form is submitted. Experts recommend completing Aadhaar updates at least six months prior to avoid last-minute delays or verification issues.

Increased Scrutiny to Address Fraud and Impersonation

In the last few admission cycles, several instances of impersonation and fraudulent exam attempts were reported. Authorities believe that a strict Aadhaar-linked centre allocation will make it significantly harder for candidates to manipulate location data or attempt impersonation in unfamiliar or strategically chosen cities.

NTA is also working closely with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to ensure seamless integration of Aadhaar verification during exam registration. The use of Aadhaar for authentication is expected to serve as an additional security layer, adding to the biometric checks already used in many centres.

When Will the New System Come Into Effect?

The Aadhaar-based centre allocation will be implemented in phases:

• Phase 1 – JEE Main January 2026: The new system will debut with the JEE Main January 2026 session, becoming mandatory for all applicants.

• Phase 2 – NEET-UG 2026: The medical entrance exam, expected to be held in May 2026, will adopt the Aadhaar-linked model.

• Phase 3 – CUET-UG 2026: The undergraduate common entrance examination for central universities will follow the same system in mid-2026.

By late 2026, all major NTA examinations will transition completely to the new format.

Challenges and Concerns Raised by Students and Parents

While the new system aims to bring greater transparency, it has also raised concerns among students and parents:

1. Long-Distance Travel: Students studying away from home may need to travel across states to write their exams, potentially adding stress, cost, and logistical difficulties.

2. Impact on Coaching Structures: The policy may indirectly affect the coaching industry, as students may prefer centres closer to home.

3. Last-Minute Document Issues: Any mismatch in candidate details between Aadhaar and academic documents could lead to delays or rejection of applications.

4. Safety and Comfort Issues: Parents worry about children travelling long distances alone for high-stakes exams.

Experts recommend that families begin planning early—particularly regarding Aadhaar updates—to prevent last-minute complications.

Authorities Affirm Students Will Benefit in the Long Run

Despite concerns, officials maintain that the reform will ultimately benefit students. By eliminating the exam-city preference option, the process becomes uniform and resistant to outside influence.

Authorities also argue that the policy will reduce crowding in cities frequently overwhelmed with testing demand, leading to a more balanced distribution of candidates across India. To support the transition, NTA is expected to publish detailed guidelines and FAQs early in 2025, explaining procedures for Aadhaar verification, address correction, and documentation requirements.

What Students Should Do Now

Students preparing for the 2026 examinations must take immediate action:

• Check your Aadhaar address immediately. Update it if you live away from your permanent home and wish to take the exam near your current location.

• Ensure name and date of birth match school certificates. This is critical for registration.

• Keep physical and digital copies of all updated documents.

• Follow official NTA announcements regularly.

• Start planning travel arrangements early, especially for students studying out of state who choose not to update their Aadhaar address.

Conclusion

The decision to assign NEET, JEE, and CUET exam centres through Aadhaar-linked addresses marks a major shift in India’s examination system. While it may initially inconvenience students living away from home, the NTA asserts the change will reinforce fairness, transparency, and security across the nation’s most competitive entrance tests.

As India prepares for the 2026 examination cycle, students and parents are advised to stay informed, update required documents on time, and adapt to the evolving landscape of national-level assessments.